Market report: The Irish stock market finished the day little changed amid a dearth of newsflow at home and a lack of direction from overseas markets.

Anglo Irish Bank and Ryanair were two of the few stocks to trade in any size. More than three million shares in the bank changed hands in Dublin although the stock closed just three cent lower at €10.80.

Elsewhere in the banking sector, performance was lacklustre. AIB shed eight cent to €17.55 in very light volume of under 700,000 shares as investors shrugged off allegations of further overcharging.

Bank of Ireland was down four cent to €12.86 amid continued concern about the recent poor performance of its asset management unit while Irish Life & Permanent gained five cent to €14.85.

Ryanair, which saw close to 2.5 million shares traded in Dublin, edged up by four cent to €6.93.

Dealers said the stock has succeeded in breaking through an important technical level at €6.85 which should now offer firm support for the shares.

Tullow, another oil sensitive stock, also had a good day, gaining seven cent or 2.3 per cent to €3.11 in Dublin. The shares were up by 2.4 per cent in London, the main market for the shares.

Jurys Doyle remained firmly above Precinct's €17.50 indicative offer level, closing five cent higher at €17.65 although volume was thin in the shares.

Other movers yesterday included Eircom, which edged up by two cent to €1.76 and Paddy Power, which added 23 cent, or 1.5 per cent, to €15.70.

Independent News & Media, which has emerged as a possible bidder for the Leinster Leader regional newspaper group, firmed by four cent to €2.43.

In the technology sector, Iona shed 13 cent or 4.8 per cent to €2.57 ahead of its annual meeting on Thursday while in the pharmaceutical sector, Elan was up by eight cent, or 1.2 per cent, to €6.68 in Dublin.

Settlement Day: August 25th